Textile drafting method and machine



M y 15, 1956 P. T. BODELL TEXTILE DRAFTING METHOD AND MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 7, 1952 A TTORNEYS.

y 1956 P. T. BODELL TEXTILE DRAFTING METHOD AND MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 7, 1952 INVENTOR. fgzigpzzagezz,

BY A 6? M2 ATTORNEYS.

y 1956 P. T.. BODELL 2,745,143

TEXTILE DRAFTING METHOD AND MACHINE Filed May 7, 1952 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTUR.

P1790713 8/1, W aim m4 ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent TEXTILE DRAFTING METHOD AND MACHINE Philip T. Bodell, Bristol, R. 1., assignor to Collins & Aikman Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application May 7, 1952, Serial No. 286,569

14 Claims. (Cl. 19--66) This invention relates to methods and machines for drafting textile fibers, and more particularly concerns the multiple stage drafting of textile fibers wherein the fibers are concurrently subjected to heat and tension.

In the art of drafting textile fibers it has been recognized for many years that the use of a porcupine roll positioned beneath the stock and rotating freely with the stock or driven at a greater speed than the stock contributed to the uniformity of the ultimate product. However, the action of such porcupine rolls in the drafting frames of the prior art has not provided a sufficient control over uniformity and quality particularly where the fibers being processed have been of varying or mixed lengths.

The chief aims of my invention are to enable textile drafting operations to be accomplished in a continuous manner with production of a much better quality product. A further object is to provide a heated drafting frame and process suitable for drafting both combed and uncombed stock without creating unevenness in the sliver produced.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are realized in practice, as hereinafter more fully disclosed, through provision of a continuous method of drafting and combing slivers of textile fibers while they are concurrently heated, wherein the fibers in each stage are contacted by a positively driven porcupine roll while the fibers are concurrently subjected to the combined effects of tension and heat, preferably in the presence of moisture.

Other objects and attendant advantages of my invention will appear from the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, whereof:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a textile drafting machine constituting one embodiment of my invention, and suitable for the practice of my improved method;

Fig. 2 shows the machine of Fig. 1 in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in longitudinal section, taken as indicated by the angled arrows llllll in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation, taken as indicated by the lines and arrows IV-IV which appear in Fig. 2.

The single illustrated embodiment of my improved textile drafting machine has a frame with laterally-spaced longitudinal top members 1 supported by a standard 2. In entering the machine, a plurality of slivers S are passed, side by side, over a lap guide plate 3 bridged transversely between the frame members 1, said lap guide plate having guard flanges 4 at opposite sides to guide and confine the slivers. A heater element 5 is preferably mounted on the bottom surface of the plate 3. The heater element 5 is heated by electric or other means, not shown. The top surface 6 of plate 4 is forwardly and upwardly inclined to direct the slivers S into the nip of a pair of superposed rolls 7 and 8 of which the lower roll 8 may be fluted as best shown in Fig. 3. The trunnions of rolls 7 and 8 are journalled in the vertical slots of bearing blocks 10 A ice 2 mounted on the frame members 1, with the upper roll bearing upon the lowerone. The upper roll 7 is springurged downwardly against thelower roll 8 by a mechanism including vertically extending rods 11, bearing blocks 12 which are apertured and mounted on rods 11,

helical springs 13 the bottom ends of which bear on the .by a mechanism similar to the .one previously described,

the similar parts bearing similar'numbers. The upper draft roll 17 rests by its own weight on the lower draft roll 20. In order to simplify the matter ofterminology the feed rolls 7, 8 will hereinafter be referred to as the back rolls and the rolls 15, 16 will be referred to as the middle rolls, while rolls 17, 20 will be designated the front rolls, although it should be noted that the middle rolls are in reality draft rolls with respect to the back rolls andfeed rolls with respect to the front rolls. Positioned in the interval between the back rolls and the middle rolls and in the interval between the middle rolls and the front rolls are single porcupine rolls 23 and 24 whereof the trunnions are journalled in blocks 25 and 26 engaged, with capacity for adjustment up and down by means of screws 27 and 30, in the vertical slots of blocks 25, 26 respectively. Means are thus providedfor varying the extent of fiber control. The porcupine rolls 23, 24

' are characterized by the fact that they are positioned for adjustment vertically in such a way that the lowermost point on the circumference of each porcupine roll lies level with or preferably below the lowermost points of both of the top feed rolls between which they are located. Maximum fiber control is attained with the porcupine roll at its lowest position. Likewise it should be noted that the number of pins on back porcupine roll 23, in order to take care of the difference in the density of fibers, is less in the baclt stage (which lies between rolls 8 and 16) as compared to the front stage (which lies between rolls 16 and 26). As shown in Fig. 2, the bearing blocks 10, 21, 22 and the guide blocks 25, 26 are shiftable with respect to each other longitudinally of the machine, and are securable in the adjusted position longitudinally of the frame 1 by headed bolts 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 whereof the shanks extend upwardly through longitudinal slots 36 in the frame members 1.. The single strand S of the material resulting from the merging of the slivers S by the processing is directed through an eye 37 at the extremity of an arm 40 at the delivery end of the machine, into a coiler 41 which may be of well known construction.

Alfixed to the rear faces of blocks 25, 26 are heater mounting blocks 42, 43 which are apertured and receive projecting pins 44, 45 on which aprons 46, 47, preferably made of metal, are mounted. Each apron 46, 47 has upwardly convex back and front edges 48, 49 with an upwardly concave intermediate curvature. Each apron is in the form of a hollow shell with a rectangular bottom in which is housed a heater element 50, 51. Each heater element 50, 51 is preferably electrically energized from an electric source not shown, but heat may be supplied to the aprons from any other source. Heat control is accomplished by thermostat means not shown. Each heated Y apron 46, 47 has capacity to swing about the axis of its projecting pin 44, 45 which is connected to its front edge.

porcupine roll 23', 24 by the torque of a spring 52. One end 53' of spring 52 is anchored in an opening in each adjacent mounting block 42, 43 while the other end 54 bears upwardly upon the bottom face of eachheated apron 46, 47; The upper face of. each heated apron 4-6, 47 is concave and has a curvature somewhat greater than the curvature at the circumference of the ends of the pins of the adjacent porcupine roll 23, 24. As shown particularly in Fig. 4, ball bearings 55 are provided on the. shafts of porcupine rolls 23,. 24, adjacent the ends of the rolls. Each bearing 55 has an inner race 56 which is press fit or otherwise fixed to the porcupine roll shaft, and an outer race 57 which has an outer diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the pins of the adjacent porcupine. rolls 23, 24. Each outer race 57' bears against the curved face of apron 46 and serves to space the apron from the pins. The curved apron face forms a seat for each outer race 57 and accommodates the slivers and controls their path as they pass under. the porcupine rolls. Heat control-of the apron temperature is accomplished by thermostat means, not shown.

Rotary motion is imparted to the front roll 28 by an electric motor or other suitable source of power (not shown). On the trunnion 60 at one side of the machine aifixed a spur pinion 61 that meshes with a spur wheel 62 on a countershaft 63 which, in turn, carries a spur pinion 64 that meshes with a spur pinion 65 fixed on the corresponding trunnion of middle roll 16. At the same side of the machine, an idler spur wheel 66 meshes with pinicns 67, 7t respectively on the corresponding trunnions of the back roll 8 and the back porcupine roll 23. At the opposite side of the machine, a spur pinion 71 on the trunnion of front porcupine roll 24 mates with a spur pinion 72 which is secured to a countershaft 73. Also secured to the countershaft 73 is a spur gear 74 that meshes with a spur pinion 75 on the corresponding trunnion of middle roll 16. A second spur pinion '76 fixed on the last mentioned trunnion of middle roll 16 mates with a spur gear 77', which is secured on another counters'naft 85) having a spur pinion 81 thereon in mesh with a spur pinion 82 on the corresponding trunnion of back roll 3.

The slivers S are constrained to travel between the paired rolls within the longitudinal confines of the latter in a straight path. by freely rotative guide fingers 83 and 84 which depend from fixed cross bars 85, 86 extending between the bearings 10, 10 and 21, 21' respectively, said cross bars being longitudinally slotted as at 87 and Q to permit adjustment of the fingers along them. The screws designated 91 and 92 respectively serve as the means for securing the fingers 83, 84 against displacement after ad justrnent.

In view of the importance of regulating the effect of the porcupine rolls upon the fibers, it is important to provide adjustable means for securing the porcupine rolls in vertically adjustable positions on the draw frame. This provides for the adjustment of the surface of the revolving porcupine rolls toward and away from the fibers thereby regulating the extent of fiber control. The spring 52 automatically holds the heated apron in proper position to contact the fibers notwithstanding any vertical adjustment of the overlying porcupine roll.

Operation Prior to treatment, the slivers S are preferably provided with excess moisture by passing them between moist rollers, by use of steam or in any other manner found to be expedient. As the slivers S pass over the lap guide plate 3 they are preferably preheated by contact therewith. As the preheated slivers S pass from the back rolls 7, it to the middle rolls 15, 16, they are drawn or reduced due to the higher speed of the latter rolls relative to the former, and are at the same time heated by the apron 46 and combed and effectively controlled by the quills or pins of back porcupine roll 23' which is preferably driven in the same direction at a peripheral speed less than that 4 of back rolls 7, 8 and middle rolls 15, 16. As a consequence, the fibers of the slivers are brought into substantial alignment in the direction of the travel of the stock in the machine and uniformity of drafting is achieved where this effect is maintained through a plurality of interconnccted draft stages. The fibers are caused to lie substantially parallel with one another which results from combined heat and tension, preferably in the presence of moisture. incident to passage from the middle rolls 15, id to the front rolls 17, 2%, the slivers are still further drawn or reduced due to the higher speed of the latter rolls relative to the former. At the same time, the drafting of the fibers is kept uniform by the, action of the heated apron 47 and the quills or pins of front porcupine roll 24- which is driven in the same direction at a lower peripheral. speed than that of middle rolls 15, 16 and at a lower peripheral speed than front rolls 3.7, 20. Preferably the back porcupine roll 23 has a peripheral speed less than that of the front porcupine roll 24. The fibers of the multiple slivers S are ultimately brought into a single strand upon entry, by way of the eyelet 37, into the collecting receptacle 41.

For the attainment of the best results in processing of stock made up of fibers of different lengths or of dilferent materials, it is advantageous to shift the porcupine rolls in the intervals between the draft rolls. In other instances, it is desirable to change the spacing of the pairs of draft rolls. These conditions can be readily satisfied by using the adjustment facilities which have been described. Furthermore, if changes in the total draft ratio should prove to be of importance, such changes can be carried out, for example, by making suitable changes in the gear drives. All these changes can be made without interfering with the function or efficiency of the heated aprons, or their coaction with the porcupine rolls.

While one specific form of the invention has been illustrated in the drawings, including sets of fluted and cushioned draft rolls, porcupine rolls, and direct gear drive means for the rolls, it will be appreciated that the form of these and other elements may be varied by substitution of equivalent elements serving a similar purpose. Moreover certain features of the invention may be used independently of other features, and parts and method steps may be reversed, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended.

claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a drafting mechanism for strands of textile fibers, means forming a front nip to draw off the fibers as they are being drafted, a rotatable fiber control pin roller positioned rearwardly of the front drawing 01f nip and above the strand path in position for combing and drafting said fibers, a strand guide for the fibers located below the strand path adjacent said pin roller, and heating means carried by said guide whereby said fibers are heated by contact with said guide as they pass over the surface of said guide while being combed and drafted.

2. in a drafting mechanism for a textile fiber sliver, the combination comprising a set of drafting rolls through which the sliver to be drafted passes, a pin. roller intermediate said drafting rolls in position for combing andv drafting said fibers, an apron adjacent said pin roller and intermediate said drafting rolls, an electric heater attached to said apron for heating said apron, and means for urging the heated apron against the sliver as said sliver is drafted.

3. A drafting mechanism comprising front and rear sliver feed means, a porcupine roll intermediate said frontand rear feed means in contact with the sliver at a location intermediate said front and rear sliver feed means, an apron immediately below said porcupine roll, resilient leans continuously urging said apron toward said porcupine roll, and a heater attached to said apron for heating said apron.

4. A drafting mechanism for strands of textile fibers comprising a frame, means on said frame forming a front nip to draw ofi the fibers as they are being drafted, a rotatable fiber control pin roller positioned rearwardly of the front drawing off nip an '1 above the strand path, a strand guide apron pivotally mounted below the strand path and below said pin roller, a spring having one end fixed relative to said frame, said spring continuously urging said guide apron upwardly about its pivot, and a heater element fixed to the guide apron.

5. The drafting mechanism defined in claim 4, further characterized by the fact that said guide apron is formed of metal, that said fixed end of said spring is anchored in an aperture in a support element on said frame, and that the other end of said spring is disposed against the bottom surface of said guide apron.

6. A drafting mechanism for strands of textile fibers comprising a support, front and rear sliver feed means, a porcupine roll intermediate said front and rear feed means, adjusting means for moving said porcupine roll up and down relative to said support, an apron pivotally mounted on said support with capacity to swing up and down as said porcupine roll is adjusted up and down, resilient means on said support continuously urging said apron toward said porcupine roll, and heater means carried by said apron.

7. In a drafting mechanism for strands of textile fibers, the combination comprising means forming a front nip to draw off the fibers as they are being drafted, a rotatable fiber control pin roller positioned rearwardly of the front drawing off nip and above the strand path, an apron pivotally mounted below said roller, heating means carried by said apron, means continuously urging said apron upwardly toward said roller, and spacing means for maintaining clearance between said apron and the pins of said roller.

8. The combination defined in claim 7, wherein the upper face of the apron has an upwardly concave back edge and an upwardly concave body portion.

9. The combination defined in claim 7, wherein the spacing means comprises a bearing member mounted substantially concentrically With the pin roller and having an outer diameter somewhat greater than the outer diameter of the pins of said roller.

10. In a drafting mechanism for strands of textile fibers, preheating means effective to heat the fibers as they enter the machine, a plurality of sets of drafting rolls through which the preheated strands to be drafted pass,

a fiber control roller between the drafting rolls of one set, a heater element adjacent to said fiber control roller, and means causing said heater element to contact said preheated strand as it passes by said fiber control roller.

11. In a method of drafting textile fibers, the steps which comprise forming a sliver of said fibers, applying tension to said sliver to draft the fibers, and concurrently heating and combing said fibers at a common location while the sliver is under said tension.

12. In a method of drafting textile fibers, the steps which comprise moistening said fibers, tensioning the moistened fibers, and heating and combing the moistened fibers at a common time and place while maintaining said tension.

13. In a method of drafting textile fibers, the steps which comprise moistening said fibers, continuously moving said fibers in the form of a sliver through a given path, applying tension to said sliver, and concurrently heating and combing said fibers at a common place under said tension.

14. In a method of drafting textile fibers, the steps which comprise moving said fibers in the form of a sliver through a given path, applying tension in successive stages to said sliver in said path, combing and drafting and concurrently heating said'fibers at a common location in one of said stages, and combing and drafting said heated fibers and further heating said fibers in another of said stages.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 250,402 Stephens Dec. 6, 1881 1,785,823 Thoma Dec. 23, 1930 1,905,268 Cotchett Apr. 25, 1933 2,049,905 Gminder Apr. 4, 1936 2,107,818 Elzer Feb. 8, 1938 2,127,410 Knowles Aug. 16, 1938 2,323,167 Varga June 29, 1943 2,348,202 Beswick May 9, 1944 2,471,058 Bird May 24, 1949 2,633,608 Bodell Apr. 7, 1953 2,638,634 Hare May 19, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,533 Great Britain 1873 

1. IN A DRAFTING MECHANISM FOR STRANDS OF TEXTILE FIBERS, MEANS FORMING A FRONT NIP TO DRAW OFF THE FIBERS AS THEY ARE BEING DRAFTED, A ROTATABLE FIBER CONTROL PIN ROLLER POSITIONED REARWARDLY OF THE FRONT DRAWING OFF NIP AND ABOVE THE STRAND PATH IN POSITION FOR COMBING AND DRAFTING SAID FIBERS, A STRAND GUIDE FOR THE FIBERS LOCATED BELOW THE STRAND PATH ADJACENT WHEREBY SAID FIBERS ARE HEATED BY CONTACT WITH SAID GUIDE WHEREBY SAID FIBERS ARE HEATED BY CONTACT WITH SAID GUIDE AS THEY PASS OVER THE SURFACE OF SAID GUIDE WHILE BEING COMBED AND DRAFTED. 